Boeing unveiled its newest large cargo aircraft, the first 777 freighter

Boeing unveiled its newest large cargo aircraft, the first 777 freighter, on Wednesday in Everett. Some 4,000 employees and guests attended the event outside the Seattle-based factory.

Al Israel Airlines has ordered four 777-200ER aircraft from Boeing.

The deal, valued at $ 850M (€ 550M) at list prices, includes options for two additional units as well as purchasing rights for the 777-300ER model. Negocio points out that Boeing defines the 777 as the most fuel-efficient aircraft of its category. Negocio

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al-Baker announced that the group would seek compensation from Boeing

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al-Baker announced that the group would seek compensation from Boeing in case the Dreamliner is delayed again, as stated in the contracts. Qatar Airways ordered 60 B787s. Deliveries originally were to happen in 2010 but there were postponed by a year. Mr. Al-Baker also said he would consider exercising an option for 5 B777s to compensate for the delay. Commenting on the group’s expansion plans, he revealed Qatar Airways probably would acquire additional A380 jets, “but I can not say by how much”, he concluded. AFP, AFX (08/05), Les Echos

Boeing and Air France reached a historic milestone

Boeing and Air France reached a historic milestone this week with the delivery of Air France’s 50th 777. The Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) is the carrier’s 25th of that model type and joins a fleet of another 25 777-200ERs that together comprise the core of the airline’s long-haul fleet.
“This is truly a great day for Air France and Boeing,” said Pierre Vellay, senior vice president of New Aircraft and Corporate Fleet Planning for Air France. “The 777 is the mainstay of our long-haul fleet and elemental to our success and future growth plans. We look forward to further integration of this exceptional airplane later this year, when Air France takes delivery of the world’s first 777 Freighter.”
Air France is the launch customer for Boeing’s newest addition to its freighter family,

Air safety investigators are about to recommend new safety guidelines for Boeing 777s,

According to the Wall Street Journal, air safety investigators are about to recommend new safety guidelines for Boeing 777s, after a crash near London earlier this year. The Boeing jet had travelled from China to UK with unusual cold outside temperature, and some ice had formed in part of the fuel system. Therefore, investigators may warn pilots and operators of B777 jets to take extra precautions when monitoring fuel temperature in polar flights. Recommendations could be issued within the next few weeks. But the paper reports that there is consensus missing about advising to make the Boeing jets’ fuel systems more resistant, and this could harm relations between the US plane maker and engine firm Rolls- Royce. The Wall Street Journal

Boeing’s first-quarter deliveries rose 8.5 %,

compared with the same period last year. The group delivered 115 aircraft, including 87 of the 737 model and 21 long-range 777s. Boeing sped up production, indeed, after winning record orders for 3,458 planes in recent years. It plans to deliver 475 to 480 aircraft this year, up from 441 in 2007. Reuters (03/04), Bloomberg (03/04)

Boeing had won 275 orders through March 11,

according to information posted on thegroup’s website. The plane maker has listed orders for 85 aircraft from unidentifiedcustomers, worth about $ 11.2Bn at list prices, including 35 of its 787s, 40 of its 737s and 10of its 777s.
Bloomberg (13/03)